in

Malta Aquarist Society

Making Meetings a daily habit.
Malta Aquarist Society » Aquarists » Catfish and Bottom feeders » Peppered Corydoras (Corydoras paleatus).

Peppered Corydoras (Corydoras paleatus).

Last post 02-12-2008 5:18 AM by Cichlid maniac. 10 replies.
Page 1 of 1 (11 items)
Sort Posts: Previous Next

  • 02-04-2008 1:56 AM

    Peppered Corydoras (Corydoras paleatus).

    Reply Contact

        The common name is Peppered Cory but the scientific name is Corydoras paleatus. They come from the Callichthyidae family and live in the coastal rivers in Uruguay and Brazil as well as the Lower Rio Paraná basin. Their life span is about 10-15 years and can reach a size of 5/6cm. In the wild they eat  some algae and lower plants as well as insects, crustaceans and worms. They can take flakes and pellets in captivity, especially those that are earmarked for Corydoras. Shrimp pellets are also greedily attacked. They will take Tubifex and bloodworms too, whether they are alive or commercially prepared.  The ideal water temperature is  20 to 24 degrees Celsius while the water chemistry has to be soft, but they can be acclimatised to a wide range of water conditions. They accept a pH of 6.0-7.0 and they prefer slightly acidic to neutral water.

        Like many fish which are tank bred, they can be acclimatized to a ph slightly outside this range if carried out slowly and carefully. They are among the "scaleless fishes", so this needs to be considered when adding medication to the tank. They are also able to utilize atmospheric oxygen with their intestines (but this does not mean that water changes may be ignored). The most prominent features of this species, however, are both their barbels and the eyes, which can sometimes be observed in a motion somewhat like a wink. These are peaceful fish which prefer living in groups. While they have been implicated in the deaths of tank mates, it has been said that if a Corydoras is seen snacking on a tank mate, one can rest assured that the Corydoras didn't kill it.  They need a shoal of 6+ conspecifics in order to feel comfortable in their surroundings and in order for you to see the range of corydoradine interactions.   Corydoras sense food by smell more often then by sight. This is important for two reasons.  They need to have the barbels  relatively intact, as these are their olfactory sensors. And, secondly, a Corydoras that won't eat when it is immediately chow time may not know that such is the case. I have seen many a time when a Corydoras can have pellets dropped almost literally on top of them and not find it until ten minutes later. Corydoras will dash to the top to take gulps of air, though they should not be doing this on a frequent basis. One of the first signs that a water change is overdue is the Corydoras taking disproportionate top runs.  They prefer planted aquariums with calm water.       The females are slightly larger than males and are more rounded.  To breed these Corydoras you must lower the temperature and barometric pressure, when done in conjunction with water changes, may very well induce spawning. Another trick is the feeding of live foods, especially Tubifex, Bloodworms and finely chopped earthworms. Two or three males to one female seem to be the optimal rate for successful spawning.  Males will pursue the females until they show interest. The female will then clean surfaces (mostly plant surfaces and the glass sides of the tank). There is then more courtship, the male rubs against the female and touches her head with his barbels. Finally, they start the classic "T-position" during vibrations, which dislodge some eggs into the pouch, which the female has made with her ventral fins. They're then fertilized and the female places them throughout the aquarium. There is a quick rest and then the males advance on the females once again. This continues for a few hours (two to three, usually) and the female can deposit between 100 to 300 eggs.   The parents do not disturb the eggs or fry if well fed, but they might be removed after the spawning so that the fry can be reared separately from their parents. The eggs darken over their five to six day incubatory period. Finally the wrigglers emerge and feed on infusoria for a day or two. Supplemental feedings, like microworms can be fed for the first week. It is truly easier to have success with corydoras if they are not treated as scavengers but as community inhabitants of their own right.

     

  • 02-06-2008 1:43 PM In reply to

    Re: Peppered Corydoras (Corydoras paleatus).

    Reply Contact

    very informative write up mate. Keep up the good work with corys. My four S.Brochis some times do go up and down the glass but

    it seems to be more of a playing retual then a breeding one. On the other hand my Pandas seems to be growing at 1mm per year

    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. 

  • 02-07-2008 4:09 AM In reply to

    Re: Peppered Corydoras (Corydoras paleatus).

    Reply Contact

    Thanks alot Martin. The Brochis splendens grow up to 8cm & are very beautiful. Can you identify their sex & what are the other fish that you have with them?.  B.splendens breeding is not easy, but you can give them a try, when the time is right.

     

    C.panda are one of the smallest Corydoras & grow up to 5cm, so they are quite petite & a bit shy. Are they housed with other Corydoras & what are the other tankmates?. I have 3 C.panda & are housed with other Corydoras. They are still quite small, but one of them has a better growth rate & i'm thinking that it's a female, as it's more rounded. I feed mine sinking pellets daily.

  • 02-09-2008 2:50 PM In reply to

    Re: Peppered Corydoras (Corydoras paleatus).

    Reply Contact

    I only have 2 pandas housed with 4 S.Brochis and with 4 blind cave fish and 4 spalshing tetras. You are right but space is always

    an issue here. I also feed sinking pellets but as you well know the Brochis are much bigger and are first on the pelletes. I will re-

    house them when I settle a bit after winter is gone. thanks for all the info imma.

     

  • 02-09-2008 11:32 PM In reply to

    Re: Peppered Corydoras (Corydoras paleatus).

    Reply Contact

    Maybe you can house them with other "small" Corydoras & some Tetras. If you have any Livebearers, they'll be fine with them too.

  • 02-11-2008 3:36 AM In reply to

    Re: Peppered Corydoras (Corydoras paleatus).

    Reply Contact

    Corydoras paleatus fry, a few days old.

     

     

  • 02-11-2008 3:40 AM In reply to

    Re: Peppered Corydoras (Corydoras paleatus).

    Reply Contact

    This picture was taken during the Malta Aquarist Society Annual show 2007, in the Egg Layers Breeders Tank section & the Corydoras where 6 months old.

     

     

  • 02-11-2008 11:04 PM In reply to

    Re: Peppered Corydoras (Corydoras paleatus).

    Reply Contact

    Thanks for sharing such good information friend,hope to see more breeding information on other cat fish like the bristol nose? good luck.

    CHARLES

  • 02-12-2008 4:38 AM In reply to

    Re: Peppered Corydoras (Corydoras paleatus).

    Reply Contact

     

     These are my corydoras fry......got another batch that hatched this week....

     

      fry....

    Robert Bajada

  • 02-12-2008 4:57 AM In reply to

    Re: Peppered Corydoras (Corydoras paleatus).

    Reply Contact

    Those are Corydoras aeneus (bronze) & they are lovely. Big Smile

     

     

  • 02-12-2008 5:18 AM In reply to

    Re: Peppered Corydoras (Corydoras paleatus).

    Reply Contact

    Yes i know they are bronze corydoras ..... thanks for the comment!

    Robert Bajada
Page 1 of 1 (11 items)
Property of the Malta Aquarist Society 2007
Powered by Malta Aquarist Society, by Telligent Systems